3 weeks ago we got Van (21 month old) a new bed. He picked it out. He loves it. Plays in it, naps in it. But when bedtime comes it's a different story. For the first 2 weeks he was golden. Going to bed on time, sleeping through the night. Etc.
For the past 5 days he has been getting up in the middle of the night. Although I understand how I have reacted to it is wrong (putting him on the couch and sleeping on the other one myself). It has gotten worse! Now he refuses to even lay in it at night. He cries and cries almost like it's a fearful cry. I tried letting him cry it out but he opens his door and screams "Mommy" at the baby gate until I show. Tonight I set up a blanket on the floor and sat there until he fell asleep but this isn't ok all the time. What do I do? How do I get him excited about sleeping in it again? How do I get him to sleep through the night again? It's causing my husband and I to fight. I haven't slept through the night in days and I'm exhausted.
He has a night light, he has a cool mist humidifier to help and coughing and for white-noise.
Thank for all for your responses. We are trying the no nap meathod. Last night he went to bed without any problems. Woke up at 12. I went in. Told him good night again and gave him his blankets again. I didn't hear from him until 4. He woke up and tried getting on the floor. I wasn't going to argue if that's where he wanted to sleep. But when i closed the door he got back up. So I put him back in his bed and rubbed his belly till he was asleep. 5 minutes later he was up again. I went back in (stayed calm) told him it was bedtime. He took his blanket and I didn't hear from him again until 9:30.
Can anyone give me an idea if I should continue with no naps or keep trying to get him into a nap routine?
He's pretty young to be out of a crib so it's going to take a lot of work and consistency on your part now.
Just say nothing except "it's bedtime" or "sleep time" and put him back in his bed. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat!
I have 2 1/2 year old twins. Kayla did the same thing. I do the same thing Diana says, "I love you. It is not morning et so you need to go back to sleep in your bed." I walk her right to her bed. Her sister does the same sometimes and I do it as well for her. She gets it. It takes time.
I dont have a gate up so thy walk right to our bedroom. I get up and walk them right back to theirs making that statement. It happens every night but they will stay in their beds. I just expect Kayla or both to wake up around 4 and my husband or I walk them to their bed.
Kayla screamed at first and the first night I must have walked her back 10 times and my husband thought I was crazy. But now she knows that she has to sleep in her bed.
Good luck!
We just went through this with my son who was sleeping in my bed with me until several weeks ago. We do not believe in cry it out. We did something else, a modification. When he wakes up the first time, tell him it's time to sleep, give him a kiss and say goodnight. If he doesn't go to bed do this again up to 3 times total. if this still doesn't work, the 4th time and each time thereafter, give him the kiss goodnight, do not make eye contact and do not say anything and leave and go back to your room or the common room if you think this will keep the rest of the family up. Continue with this until he sleeps through the night. It took us 3 whole nights but we did it and it is such a relief. Basically each time my son needed me, I went to him and gave him the comfort of seeing me and would not let him cry it out. Also, did he pick out his big boys sheets etc? If not, go with him to the store and do this, or maybe you can pick out something new for his room and only kee p it in the room. Throughout the day, hype up the fact that he's going to be in his big boy bed in his big boy room and tell him how wonderful that is. Make a huge deal of it. I really hope this helps and you get back to a normal life. I totally understand what you are going through. Up until about a month ago I hadn't slept through the night myself for 2 years!! Yikes! Good luck and feel free to email me with any questions.
I think the answer lies in the fact that he does not want to be in the bed at night, because you said he likes to play in it and nap in it. I am wondering, is this bed a racecar bed? A lot of children have a hard time realizing that this bed is for sleeping in at night time. At his age, especially, it is hard to make that separation in his head. During the day it's great for him to have that great new toy, and he can ever konk out on it, but at night, well you took away the safety of the bed he had up till now always known would keep him safe. I think it's proably time to talk to him and find out what he thinks the bed is for. I think you can probably also get him to tell you why he is afraid at night. Most kids that age can tell you if it's the monster in the closet, or under the bed, or if they just miss mom and dad. Listen for subtle cues in his voice when you talk to him. Perhaps because he is younger, you may be able to bring that bed to your room for a week or so, and have him sleep in it, in your room, then work him back to his room. Don't be afraid to try it. I know it's stressful on parents, especially when it seems like you are never alone any more. But it will get better...Good Luck!
Let him sleep on the blanket on the floor. He will figure it out. When he is ready then he will sleep in the bed. As long as he is going to sleep and is not screaming then I would let him sleep on the floor. Sometimes, kids are wierd and go through phases. Try it and see what happens.
Gotta love the Supernanny....
I've had a similar problem with my 3-year old, but I remembered the Supernanny.....
Every time he came out I took him and brought him back to bed....no big words....just "I love you".....
It took me only about 5 times a night for about 4 nights and then he was done....he stayed in bed and went to sleep without trouble....
What might help your son too is a special sleeping buddy.....
Go to the store and let him pick out a friend (stuffed animal) the will be by his side at night.....to protect him ;)
Oh, I don't know if it matters, but we do not close the door to the bedrooms....we feel more comfortable with them open.....the kids can hear that we're still there and we know what they're doing....
